As a long-term member of Tri-County Council having served a single term as president, I am well aware of the need to work together on regional issues for the combined benefit of Southern Maryland.

The decision of the Charles County Commissioners to move the regional baseball stadium from Hughesville to the Waldorf area may have been a parochially motivated decision, but the move away from a central area in the Southern Maryland region may have well reduced attendance from Calvert and St. Mary’s Counties.

Now, the Charles County Commissioners are looking to rezone heavy industry into this quiet town that is presently reminiscent of a Rod Serling episode.

The bigger picture should include a larger vision of Hughesville. The planned employment residential center across from the Harley motorcycle dealership that is called Hughesville Station should include a regional park n’ ride facility that ties the train tracks with commuter busing to provide a transportation center as well.

With MARC train service serving commuter needs and tourism opportunities, heavy truck traffic at the Calvert side town entrance might not serve most value for the long term economic viability of the town.

The possible vindictive desire of the invincible Charles County Commissioners to tweak the activists who lobbied against the stadium by rezoning heavy industry beyond Comprehensive Plan review could provide a windfall for St. Mary’s County as Southern Marylanders and visitors seek out the Mother County for peace and solace. Why make the town suffer when the Charles County Commissioners made the official decision to move the stadium?

Ultimately, we will see if Governor O’Malley and his fellow elected cohorts will fulfill their promise made upon the working railroad tracks in Charles County to bring passenger train service to Southern Maryland.

Time will tell if a passenger train or gravel trucks are a greater priority for these politicians who govern the town of Hughesville.